Earthquakes: After tumbling Saturday at Houston, their chances of making the 10-team playoffs are slimmer than a pair of Skinny Jeans. San Jose is one of three Major League Soccer teams to not have at least 30 points. It needs a miracle finish in its final six games to avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in four years since re-entering MLS as an expansion team. At Houston, the Earthquakes led at the half for only the fourth time this season, but gave up a penalty kick to Brad Davis just after intermission. It went downhill from there, as it has all season.

Portland: Although an expansion team, the Timbers are in better shape than San Jose to make the playoffs after going 3-0-1 in its past four matches, including a dominating 3-0 victory over New England on Friday. The Timbers are 9-4-2 at 18,600-seat Jeld-Wen Field, where they have sold out every match this season. Perhaps San Jose can take comfort in the fact it won there in May in a U.S. Open Cup match. The Timbers have enjoyed a balanced offense led by Jack Jewsbury, who is having a breakout season with eight goals and seven assists. Goalkeeper Tony Perkins has eight shutouts, tying a career high.